Cat litter box system

ABSTRACT

A cat litter box system includes a shield section. The shield section includes shield section sidewalls. A front entryway is disposed in the shield section sidewalls. The front entry way includes a frame having grooves disposed within the frame of the front entry way. A plurality of sliding panels are removable from the front entry way. The sliding panels are configured to stack and abut on top of one another within the grooves of the frame of the front entryway. The sliding panels form an overspray barrier within the front entryway. The overspray barrier has at least three adjustable heights based on the number of sliding panels stacked and abutted within the front entryway.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of thefiling date of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/063,949, filed onDec. 9, 2022 and entitled, “CAT LITTER BOX SYSTEM”, which is anon-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, U.S.provisional application 63/265,214, filed Dec. 10, 2021, entitled, “CATLITTER BOX SYSTEM,” the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to cat litter box systems. Morespecifically, the disclosure relates to cat litter box systems havingnested sections and/or height adjustable front entryways.

BACKGROUND

Cat (or pet) litter box systems are used by domestic pets, such as cats,to expel liquid and solid waste. However, sometimes cats spray theirurine upward rather directly into the litter. This could be problematicif the litter box system does not provide adequate overspray barriers tosuch upwardly directed spray. Additionally, if the overspray barriersare made too high, then some cats, such as elderly cats or kittens, mayhave trouble entering the litter box system.

Additionally, current cat litter box systems often emit an undesirableodor if they are not properly cleaned. Yet cleaning such litter boxescan be difficult due to clumping and sticking of the wet litter.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cat litter box system thatallows for easy entry into and out of the litter box, yet also providesa proper overspray barrier. There is also a need for a cat litter boxsystem that is easily cleaned and emits less odor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives over the priorart by providing a cat litter box system that has a plurality ofremovable sliding panels that are stackable on top of one another withinthe front entryway. The sliding panels form an overspray barrier withinthe front entryway. The overspray barrier has an adjustable height basedon the number of sliding panels stacked within the front entryway.Accordingly, the height of the overspray barrier can be adjusted to fitthe physical characteristics of the cat or other pet. For example, anoverspray barrier with a smaller height can be provided for elderly catsor kittens, while an overspray barrier with a larger height can beprovided for young fully mature cats.

Additionally, the cat litter box system is designed to contain primarilypine pellets as cat litter. The pine pellets are a natural deodorantthat absorb urine and break down into sawdust or pine dust (i.e.,powderized pellets) when urinated on. The litter box system includes asifter pan nested within a collection pan. The sifter pan has a floorwith a grid of holes sized to let the pine powder pass through, but toprevent the solid pine pellets from passing through, to the collectionpan. The collection pan can be removed for easy cleaning and removal ofthe powderized pellets.

Additionally, a shield section is disposed over the sifter pan and isremovably latchable to either the sifter pan or both the sifter pan andcollection pan. In addition to providing an enhanced overspray barrier,the shield section, sifter pan and collection pan can be lifted andshaken as a unit to facilitate the passage of the powderized pelletsfrom the sifter pan into the collection pan for thorough and easyremoval of the pine dust. Alternatively, the shield section and sifterpan can be lifted off of the collection pan as a unit to either shakethe shield section and sifter pan as a unit or to enable easy access tothe collection pan for cleaning of the powderized pellets.

A cat litter box system in accordance with one or more aspects of thepresent disclosure includes a sifter pan having a sifter pan floor witha plurality of thru holes therethrough. Sifter pan sidewalls surroundand extend upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor. A sifterpan rim is disposed on upper distal ends of the sifter pan sidewalls.The sifter pan rim extends laterally from the sifter pan sidewalls. Ashield section includes shield section sidewalls having a lower rimportion configured to removably mount on an upper surface of the sifterpan rim. A front entryway is disposed in the shield section sidewalls. Aplurality of removable sliding panels are stackable on top of oneanother within the front entryway. The sliding panels form an overspraybarrier within the front entryway. The overspray barrier has anadjustable height based on the number of sliding panels stacked withinthe front entryway.

Another cat litter box system in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure includes a sifter pan. The sifter pan includes asifter pan floor having a plurality of thru holes therethrough. Sifterpan sidewalls extend upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor. Asifter pan rim is disposed on upper distal ends of the sifter pansidewalls. The sifter pan rim extends laterally from the sifter pansidewalls. A shield section includes shield section sidewalls having alower rim portion configured to removably mount on an upper surface ofthe sifter pan rim. A collection pan is disposed below the sifter pan.The collection pan is operable to catch powderized pellets as they passthrough the plurality of thru holes in the sifter pan floor. A pluralitylatches are disposed around the lower rim portion of the shield section.The latches are operable to removably latch onto the sifter pan rim tosecure the shield section to the sifter pan to enable both the sifterpan and shield section to be lifted by the shield section off of thecollection pan as a unit and shaken in order to facilitate the passageof powderized pellets through the sifter pan thru holes and into thecollection pan.

Another cat litter box system in accordance with one or more aspects ofthe present disclosure includes a sifter pan. The sifter pan includes asifter pan floor having a plurality of thru holes therethrough. Sifterpan sidewalls extend upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor. Asifter pan rim is disposed on upper distal ends of the sifter pansidewalls. The sifter pan rim extends laterally from the sifter pansidewalls. A shield section includes shield section sidewalls having alower rim portion configured to removably mount on an upper surface ofthe sifter pan rim. A front entryway is disposed in the shield sectionsidewalls. A plurality of removable sliding panels are stackable on topof one another within the front entryway. A collection pan is disposedbelow the sifter pan. The collection pan is operable to catch powderizedpellets as they pass through the plurality of thru holes in the sifterpan floor.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein and may be used toachieve the benefits and advantages described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a perspective top view of a cat litter boxsystem, according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 2 depicts an example of an exploded perspective view of the catlitter box system of FIG. 1 , according to aspects described herein;

FIG. 3A depicts an example of side cross sectional view taken along theline 3-3 of the cat litter box system of FIG. 1 , according to aspectsdescribed herein;

FIG. 3B depicts an example of an enlarged view of the left side of FIG.3A;

FIG. 3C depicts an example of an enlarged view of the right side of FIG.3A;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a perspective top view of a shield sectionof the cat litter box system of FIG. 1 , according to aspects describedherein;

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a perspective top view of a sifter pan ofthe cat litter box system of FIG. 1 , according to aspects describedherein; and

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a perspective top view of a collection panof the cat litter box system of FIG. 1 , according to aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain examples will now be described to provide an overallunderstanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture,and use of the methods, systems, and devices disclosed herein. One ormore examples are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the methods, systems, anddevices specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting examples and that the scope ofthe present disclosure is defined solely by the claims. The featuresillustrated or described in connection with one example maybe combinedwith the features of other examples. Such modifications and variationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms “significantly”, “substantially”, “approximately”, “about”,“relatively,” or other such similar terms that may be used throughoutthis disclosure, including the claims, are used to describe and accountfor small fluctuations, such as due to variations in processing from areference or parameter. Such small fluctuations include a zerofluctuation from the reference or parameter as well. For example, theycan refer to less than or equal to ±10%, such as less than or equal to±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equalto ±0.05%.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , an example is depicted of a perspective topview (FIG. 1 ) and an exploded view (FIG. 2 ) of a cat litter box system100, according to aspects described herein. The cat litter box systemincludes a top shield section 102 disposed over a sifter pan 104. Thesifter pan 104 is nested (recessed) within a collection pan 106. Thecollection pan 106 may be disposed over a tray section 108. A vibratingmechanism 110 may be attached to the collection pan 106 and at least aportion of the vibration mechanism 110 may be disposed between thecollection pan 106 and the tray section 108.

The sifter pan 104 (see FIG. 5 ) includes a sifter pan floor 112 havinga plurality of thru holes 114 extending therethrough. Sifter pansidewalls 116 surround and extend upwards from a perimeter of the sifterpan floor 112. A sifter pan rim 118 is disposed on upper distal ends ofthe sifter pan sidewalls 116. The sifter pan rim 118 extends laterallyfrom the sifter pan sidewalls 116.

The sifter pan 104 is designed to contain primarily pine pellets 120,which are specifically designed as cat litter. Pine pellets are anatural deodorant that absorb urine from cats, or other pets, and breakdown into sawdust or pine dust (i.e., powderized pellets) when urinatedon. The terms “powderized pellets” or “powderized pine pellets” as usedherein, refers to the sawdust, pindust or other particulate that isformed or shed from pine pellets that have been urinated upon and brokendown by the urine of a pet.

The thru holes 114 in the floor 112 of the sifter pan 104 have adiameter that is small enough to prevent pine pellets 120 (see FIGS. 3A,3B and 3C) from passing through, but large enough to allow powderizedpine pellets 122 (see FIGS. 3A-C) that are powderized by cat urine topass through. The thru holes 114 in the floor 112 of the sifter pan 104may have a diameter within a range of about 0.25 to 0.5 inches.

The shield section 102 includes shield section sidewalls 124 having alower rim portion 126 (see FIGS. 3A-C) configured to removably mount onan upper surface 128 of the sifter pan rim 118. A front entryway 130 isdisposed in a front portion of the shield section sidewalls 124.

The front entryway 130 includes a frame 132 (see FIG. 4 ) having grooves134 disposed therein. The grooves 134 are configured to slidably receivea plurality of removable sliding panels 136 therein. The plurality ofremovable sliding panels 136 are stackable on top of one another withinthe front entryway 130.

Advantageously, the sliding panels 136 form an adjustable overspraybarrier 138 within the front entryway 130. The overspray barrier 138 hasan adjustable height 140 that is based on the number of sliding panels136 stacked within the front entryway 130. The height 140 of theoverspray barrier can be conveniently adjusted to suit the physicalcharacteristics of the cat (or other pet) that is using the cat litterbox system 100. For example, the overspray barrier 138 may be composedof a single sliding panel 136 for a smaller height 140 to accommodate anelderly cat or a kitten. Alternatively, the overspray barrier 138 may becomposed of two or more sliding panels 136 for a larger height 140 toaccommodate a fully mature young cat (1-5 years old for example) thatcan easily clear the higher barrier 138. Therefore, the stackablesliding panels 136 provide an adjustable overspray barrier 138 thatkeeps urine spray in the cat litter box system 100 and simultaneouslyenables easy entrance into, and egress from, the system 100 for cats ofall ages and physical conditions.

The shield section 102 may also include a shield section upper rim 142disposed on an upper distal end portion of the shield section sidewalls124. The shield section upper rim 142 may extend inwardly toward theinterior of the shield section 102. The shield section upper rim 142provides an inwardly extending barrier to overspray from a cat or otherpet.

The cat litter box system 100 also includes the collection pan 106,which is disposed below the sifter pan 104. The collection pan 106 isdesigned to catch the powderized pellets 122 as they pass through theplurality of thru holes 114 in the sifter pan floor 112.

Additionally, the collection pan 106 may include indentations and/orhandles 166 in the sidewalls 154 of the collection pan 106. As will beexplained in greater detail herein, the indentations and/or handles 166may be operable to facilitate lifting of the collection pan 106, sifterpan 104 and shield section 102 when the they are latched together vialatches 150 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ).

The cat litter box system 100 may also include the vibration mechanism110, which may be disposed under the collection pan 106. The vibratingmechanism 110 may advantageously be operable to vibrate the collectionpan 106 and the sifter pan 104 in order to facilitate the passage of thepowderized pellets 120 through the sifter pan thru holes 114 and intothe collection pan 106. The vibration mechanism 110 may included a motorand controls for inducing and adjusting the vibrations of the collectionpan 106 and sifter pan 104.

The cat litter box system 100 may also include the tray section 108,which may be disposed under the collection pan 106. The tray section 108may have a matt portion 143 that extends forward from the front entryway130 a predetermined distance 144. The matt portion 143 is operable tocatch the powderized pellets 122 that may be tracked by a cat as itexits the system 100.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, an example is depicted of a side crosssectional view (FIG. 3A) taken along the line 3-3 of the cat litter boxsystem 100 of FIG. 1 , an enlarged view (FIG. 3B) of the left hand sideof FIG. 3A and an enlarged view (FIG. 3C) of the right hand side of FIG.3A, according to aspects described herein. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A,3B and 3C, the top shield section 102 is disposed over the sifter pan104. The sifter pan 104 is nested (recessed) within the collection pan106. The collection pan 106 may be disposed over the tray section 108.The vibrating mechanism 110 may optionally be attached to the collectionpan 106 and at least a portion of the vibration mechanism 110 may bedisposed between the collection pan 106 and the tray section 108.

The sifter pan 104 includes the sifter pan floor 112, which has aplurality of thru holes 114 extending therethrough. The sifter pansidewalls 116 surround and extend upwards from the perimeter of thesifter pan floor 112. The sifter pan rim 118 is disposed on upper distalends of the sifter pan sidewalls 116. The sifter pan rim 118 extendslaterally from the sifter pan sidewalls 116.

The sifter pan 104 is designed to contain primarily pine pellets 120,which are specifically designed as cat litter. The thru holes 114 in thefloor 112 of the sifter pan 104 have a diameter that is small enough toprevent pine pellets 120 from passing through, but large enough to allowpowderized pine pellets 122 that are powderized by cat urine to passthrough. The thru holes 114 in the floor 112 of the sifter pan 104 mayhave a diameter within a range of about 0.25 to 0.5 inches.

The shield section 102 may include the shield section upper rim 142,which is disposed on the upper distal end portion of the shield sectionsidewalls 124. The shield section upper rim 142 may extend inwardlytoward the interior of the shield section 102. The shield section upperrim 142 provides an inwardly extending barrier to overspray from a cator other pet.

The shield section 102 also includes the shield section sidewalls 124.The shield section sidewalls 124 include the lower rim portion 126,which is configured to removably mount on an upper surface 128 of thesifter pan rim 118. The lower rim portion 126 may also include aninwardly extending lip portion 146 that conforms to the inside surfacesof the sidewalls 116 of the sifter pan 104. The inwardly extending lipportion 146 of the shield section 102 is configured to slidably fitwithin the inside surfaces of the sidewalls 116 of the sifter pan 104and to prevent lateral movement of the shield section 102 relative tothe sifter pan 104 when the lower rim portion 126 of the shield section102 is mounted on the upper surface 128 of the sifter pan rim 118.

Advantageously, a plurality of latches 148 (see FIG. 4 ) may be disposedaround the lower rim portion 126 of the shield section 102. The latches148 are operable to removably latch onto the sifter pan rim 118 tosecure the shield section 102 to the sifter pan 104. Once secured by thelatches 148, both the sifter pan 104 and shield section 102 are operableto be lifted by initially grabbing the shield section 102 and thenpulling both the shield section 102 and sifter pan 104 off of thecollection pan 106 as a unit. The latched shield section 102 is securedstrongly enough to the sifter pan 104 to enable the sifter pan 104 andshield section 102 to be shaken as a unit, in order to facilitate thepassage of the powderized pellets 122 through the sifter pan thru holes114 and into the collection pan 106. Alternatively, the latched shieldsection 102 and sifter pan 104 may be lifted off of the collection pan106 as a unit to enable convenient cleaning and removal of thepowderized pellets 122 from the collection pan 108.

The collection pan 106 may include a collection pan rim 152 disposed onupper distal ends of sidewalls 154 of the collection pan 106. The sifterpan 104 may have a height 156 that is smaller than a height 158 of thecollection pan 106. Additionally the sifter pan 104 may have an outerperimeter that fits within an inner perimeter of the collection pan 106.Accordingly, the sifter pan 104 may then be configured to recess (nest)into the collection pan 106 until a lower surface 160 of the sifter panrim 118 rests upon an upper surface 162 of the collection pan rim 152.

Also advantageously, a second plurality of latches 150 may be disposedaround the lower rim portion 126 of the shield section 102. The latches150 may be operable to removably latch onto both the sifter pan rim 118and the collection pan rim 152 to secure the shield section 102 to boththe sifter pan 104 and the collection pan 106 to enable the sifter pan104, the collection pan 106 and the shield section 102 to be lifted as aunit and shaken in order to facilitate the passage of the powderizedpellets through the sifter pan thru holes 114 and into the collectionpan 106.

Referring to FIG. 4 , an example is depicted of a perspective top viewof the shield section 102 of the cat litter box system 100 of FIG. 1 ,according to aspects described herein. As discussed earlier, the shieldsection 102 includes the shield section sidewalls 124 that have a lowerrim portion 126 configured to removably mount on the upper surface 128of the sifter pan rim 118 (see FIGS. 3A-C). The front entryway 130 isdisposed in the front portion of the shield section sidewalls 124.

The front entryway 130 includes the frame 132, which has grooves 134disposed therein. The grooves 134 are configured to slidably receive theplurality of removable sliding panels 136 therein. The plurality ofremovable sliding panels 136 are stackable on top of one another withinthe front entryway 130.

Advantageously, the sliding panels 136 form the adjustable overspraybarrier 138 within the front entryway 130. The overspray barrier 138 hasan adjustable height 140 that is based on the number of sliding panels136 stacked within the front entryway 130. The height 140 of theoverspray barrier can be conveniently adjusted to suit the physicalcharacteristics of the cat (or other pet) that is using the cat litterbox system 100. For example, the overspray barrier 138 may be composedof a single sliding panel 136 for a smaller height 140 to accommodate anelderly cat or a kitten. Alternatively, the overspray barrier 138 may becomposed of two or more sliding panels 136 for a larger height 140 toaccommodate a fully mature young cat (1-5 years old for example) thatcan easily clear the higher barrier 138. Therefore, the stackablesliding panels 136 provide an adjustable overspray barrier 138 thatkeeps urine spray in the cat litter box system 100 and simultaneouslyenables easy entrance into, and egress from, the system 100 for cats ofall ages and physical conditions.

The shield section 102 may also include the shield section upper rim 142disposed on the upper distal end portions of the shield sectionsidewalls 124. The shield section upper rim 142 may extend inwardlytoward the interior of the shield section 102. The shield section upperrim 142 provides an additional inwardly extending barrier to oversprayfrom a cat or other pet.

Additionally, a top panel 136A of the plurality of removable slidingpanels 136 stacked within the front entryway 130 may include an toppanel lip 164 disposed on an upper distal end portion of the top panel136. The top panel lip 164 may extend inwardly toward the interior ofthe shield section 102. Much like the shield section upper rim 142, thetop panel lip 164 may provide an additional inwardly extending barrierto overspray from a cat or other pet.

Referring to FIG. 5 , and example is depicted of a perspective top viewof the sifter pan 104 of the cat litter box system 100 of FIG. 1 ,according to aspects described herein. As discussed earlier, the sifterpan 104 includes the sifter pan floor 112, which has the plurality ofthru holes 114 extending therethrough. The sifter pan sidewalls 116surround and extend upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor112. The sifter pan rim 118 is disposed on upper distal ends of thesifter pan sidewalls 116. The sifter pan rim 118 extends laterally fromthe sifter pan sidewalls 116 and includes an upper surface 128 and alower surface 160 (see FIGS. 3A-C). The sifter pan has a height 156 thatis less than the height 158 of the collection pan 106.

The thru holes 114 in the floor 112 of the sifter pan 104 have adiameter that is small enough to prevent pine pellets 120 (see FIGS.3A-C) from passing through, but large enough to allow powderized pinepellets 122 (see FIGS. 3A-C) that are powderized by cat urine to passthrough. The thru holes 114 in the floor 112 of the sifter pan 104 mayhave a diameter within a range of about 0.25 to 0.5 inches.

Referring to FIG. 6 , an example is depicted of a perspective top viewof a collection pan 106 of the cat litter box system 100 of FIG. 1 ,according to aspects described herein. As discussed earlier, thecollection pan 106 is designed to catch the powderized pellets 122 asthey pass through the plurality of thru holes 114 in the sifter panfloor 112 (see FIGS. 3A-C).

The collection pan 106 may include a collection pan rim 152 disposed onupper distal ends of sidewalls 154 of the collection pan 106. Thecollection pan 106 may have a height 158 that is larger than the height156 of the sifter pan 104. The collection pan 106 may have a perimeterthat is larger than a perimeter of the sifter pan. Accordingly, thesifter pan 104 may be nested (recessed) within the collection pan 106.The collection pan 106 may be disposed over the tray section 108.

Additionally, the collection pan 106 may include indentations and/orhandles 166 in the sidewalls 154 of the collection pan 106. Theindentations and/or handles 166 may be operable to facilitate lifting ofthe collection pan 106, sifter pan 104 and shield section 102 when thethey are latched together via latches 150 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ).

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail herein (providedsuch concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as beingpart of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular,all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein.

Although the invention has been described by reference to specificexamples, it should be understood that numerous changes may be madewithin the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described.Accordingly, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to thedescribed examples, but that it have the full scope defined by thelanguage of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cat litter box system comprising: a shieldsection comprising: shield section sidewalls, a front entryway disposedin the shield section sidewalls, the front entry way including a framehaving grooves disposed within the frame of the front entry way, aplurality of sliding panels that are removable from the front entry way,the sliding panels being configured to stack and abut on top of oneanother within the grooves of the frame of the front entryway; whereinthe sliding panels form an overspray barrier within the front entryway,the overspray barrier having at least three adjustable heights based onthe number of sliding panels stacked and abutted within the frontentryway.
 2. The cat litter box system of claim 1, wherein the slidingpanels form a solid overspray barrier.
 3. The cat litter box system ofclaim 1, comprising: a top panel of the plurality of removable slidingpanels stacked within the front entryway comprising a panel lip disposedon an upper distal end portion of the top panel, the panel lip extendinginwardly toward the interior of the shield section, the panel lipproviding an inwardly extending barrier to overspray from a cat.
 4. Thecat litter system of claim 1, comprising: the shield section comprisinga shield section upper rim disposed on an upper distal end portion ofthe shield section sidewalls, the shield section upper rim extendinginwardly toward the interior of the shield section, the shield sectionupper rim providing an inwardly extending barrier to overspray from acat.
 5. The cat litter box system of claim 1, wherein the at least threeadjustable heights of the overspray barrier comprise: a first adjustableheight having no sliding panels stacked within the front entryway; asecond adjustable height having a first sliding panel stacked within thefront entryway; and a third adjustable height having a second slidingpanel stacked on top of, and abutted against, the first sliding panelwithin the front entryway.
 6. The cat litter box system of claim 1,comprising: a sifter pan comprising: a sifter pan floor having aplurality of thru holes therethrough, sifter pan sidewalls surroundingand extending upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor, and asifter pan rim disposed on upper distal ends of the sifter pansidewalls, the sifter pan rim extending laterally from the sifter pansidewalls; and wherein the shield section sidewalls of the shieldsection have a lower rim portion configured to removably mount on anupper surface of the sifter pan rim.
 7. The cat litter box system ofclaim 6, comprising: a collection pan disposed below the sifter pan, thecollection pan operable to catch powderized pellets as the powderizedpellets pass through the plurality of thru holes in the sifter panfloor.
 8. The cat litter box system of claim 7, comprising: a vibratingmechanism disposed under the collection pan, the vibrating mechanismoperable to vibrate the collection pan and the sifter pan in order tofacilitate the passage of the powderized pellets through the sifter panthru holes and into the collection pan.
 9. The cat litter box system ofclaim 7, comprising: a plurality latches disposed around the lower rimportion of the shield section, the latches operable to removably latchonto the sifter pan rim to secure the shield section to the sifter panto enable both the sifter pan and shield section to be lifted by theshield section off of the collection pan as a unit and shaken in orderto facilitate the passage of the powderized pellets through the sifterpan thru holes and into the collection pan.
 10. The cat litter boxsystem of claim 7, comprising: a plurality latches disposed around thelower rim portion of the shield section, the latches operable toremovably latch onto the sifter pan rim and a collection pan rim of thecollection pan to secure the shield section to both the sifter pan andthe collection pan to enable the sifter pan, the collection pan and theshield section to be lifted as a unit and shaken in order to facilitatethe passage of the powderized pellets through the sifter pan thru holesand into the collection pan.
 11. A cat litter box system comprising: ashield section comprising: shield section sidewalls, a front entrywaydisposed in the shield section sidewalls, the front entry way includinga frame having grooves disposed within the frame of the front entry way,at least one sliding panel that is removable from the front entryway,the at least one sliding panel being configured to slidably fit withinthe grooves of the frame of the front entryway; wherein the at least onesliding panel forms an overspray barrier within the front entryway, theoverspray barrier having at least two adjustable heights based on thenumber of sliding panels within the front entryway.
 12. The cat litterbox system of claim 11, wherein the at least one sliding panel forms asolid overspray barrier.
 13. The cat litter box system of claim 11,comprising: a top panel of the at least one sliding panel within thefront entryway comprising a panel lip disposed on an upper distal endportion of the top panel, the panel lip extending inwardly toward theinterior of the shield section, the panel lip providing an inwardlyextending barrier to overspray from a cat.
 14. The cat litter system ofclaim 11, comprising: the shield section comprising a shield sectionupper rim disposed on an upper distal end portion of the shield sectionsidewalls, the shield section upper rim extending inwardly toward theinterior of the shield section, the shield section upper rim providingan inwardly extending barrier to overspray from a cat.
 15. The catlitter box system of claim 11, wherein the at least two adjustableheights of the overspray barrier comprise: a first adjustable heighthaving no sliding panels of the at least one sliding panel stackedwithin the front entryway; and a second adjustable height having a firstsliding panel of the at least one sliding panel stacked within the frontentryway.
 16. The cat litter box system of claim 15, wherein the atleast two adjustable heights of the overspray barrier comprise: a thirdadjustable height having a second sliding panel of the at least onesliding panel stacked on top of, and abutted against, the first slidingpanel within the front entryway.
 17. The cat litter box system of claim11, comprising: a sifter pan comprising: a sifter pan floor having aplurality of thru holes therethrough, sifter pan sidewalls surroundingand extending upwards from a perimeter of the sifter pan floor, and asifter pan rim disposed on upper distal ends of the sifter pansidewalls, the sifter pan rim extending laterally from the sifter pansidewalls; and wherein the shield section sidewalls of the shieldsection have a lower rim portion configured to removably mount on anupper surface of the sifter pan rim.
 18. The cat litter box system ofclaim 17, comprising: a collection pan disposed below the sifter pan,the collection pan operable to catch powderized pellets as thepowderized pellets pass through the plurality of thru holes in thesifter pan floor.
 19. The cat litter box system of claim 18, comprising:a vibrating mechanism disposed under the collection pan, the vibratingmechanism operable to vibrate the collection pan and the sifter pan inorder to facilitate the passage of the powderized pellets through thesifter pan thru holes and into the collection pan.
 20. The cat litterbox system of claim 18, comprising: a plurality latches disposed aroundthe lower rim portion of the shield section, the latches operable toremovably latch onto the sifter pan rim to secure the shield section tothe sifter pan to enable both the sifter pan and shield section to belifted by the shield section off of the collection pan as a unit andshaken in order to facilitate the passage of the powderized pelletsthrough the sifter pan thru holes and into the collection pan.